sstarting chemo May 2015

[loulou40]

Brilliant!!!! 

[borbie]

Strong Sheilas ! As there are a few of them?? :-)))

[borbie]

I agree, shall i just go ahead and do it? Name ??????

[loulou40]

I reckon a secret one would be better as its just between our group and no one else? You can set it so only admin can invite people into the 'secret circle' lol! That way it stays a private page, what do you think? x

[borbie]

OK, so what shall we call it ?? I've just had a look and you can have a 'closed' group; which others can search it, see who is in it but cant see any posts, or a 'secret' one where no-one else can see anything - thoughts ladies??

I'm a bit of a 49 yr old computer numbskull but will get my daughter to help if i get stuck.x

[loulou40]

Morning Borbie,

Haha, my eyes are pretty useless this morning, driving back from the school run feeling all spaced out! 

My T says 'CANCER, you picked the wrong **bleep**' I also have another one saying 'Im a cancer girl, just like any other girl but much cooler' x

A closed FB group would be fab idea 🐵 

Lou x

[borbie]

Really must learn to read back posts 1st, predictive txts! Should have read 'time to get new ones' !

[borbie]

Morning girls ,
Can't see on my tiny screen and my useless eyes, what does the t-shirt say Lou?
Sheila I already had ear plugs in , time together ones I think:-)
Does anyone live in Norfolk by the way?
Does anyone else like the idea of a closed Facebook group ?? Sounds like a good idea to me? Lucy x

[sod6162]

Thank you....sodastream. this really is a big club, full of great supporters. X

[Codiesue]

Great idea Lou and glad you had a good weeekend in Blackpool, I am only about 30 miles from there but don't visit often enough. Will have to look at getting a similat T shirt......I think it's fantastic! Sue xx  

[Sodastream]

Hi Ladies. I'm popping in from the May 2014 thread. It seems strange to think this time last year it was us all going through this. Yesterday 7 of us met for the first time to enjoy afternoon tea in London. It was so lovely to catch up with those that helped get me through chemo. We set up a closed facebook group so we could post photos of our hair loss, wigs and what we were up to.
Just wanted say good luck to you all and hopefully in a years time you'll all be able to meet up too. X

[loulou40]

Ive felt really good! A bit ropey this morning but have been houseworking and visiting this evening, my friends wondering if ive actually had chemo or a placebo, lol! Ive got 3 kids, 3, 4 and 13 and they keep me active, dont know not being able to sit down is making me forget to feel the symptoms. Will probably catch up with me in the morning! Only symptom at the mo is constipation and blocked sinuses which I suffer with anyway, oh and this chemo brain where I keep muddling up my words, or that might just be tiredness! Oh I would go back to work if you feel like it, you can always go home if you start to feel like your struggling? x

[sod6162]

Yeah, I'm a 3rd generation Sheila too, lol. How are you feeling today? Trapped wind here...and unexpected period (started again in Jan after 4 years off). Hot water bottles are my saviour. Will be going in to work if this stability continues. X

[loulou40]

Hiya Sheila, yep Im a 70,s chick, just turned 40 in October. My Mum is Sheila and my Mums Mum so was a bit of a family hand me down name, although I have never been known as Sheila.  Will be going to Weston Park for my Radio after Ive finished my Chemo, hopefully around September time all being well. xx

[sod6162]

Hi Lou, welcome to the party....I'm at Weston Park in Sheffield, so must be yet another Sheila...weird, so many on these threads, must have been a popular name in 40s//50s/60s! Though you look like a 70s chick in your photo. I think I started with chemo and herceptin straight off as they wanted to blast the secondary cancer in liver before trying to hold back HER+ growth. Who knows? But you're right, it's a big help with info on here, stick with it! X Sheila

[cass79]

Hi all, still ok today. Didn't sleep too well last night due to heartburn so have had a 4 hour nap today, yikes! I haven't lost my appetite at all, anyone else? Also wondered if anyone else gets red cheeks from the steroids? I'm so attractive haha! Shirley my baby boy will be a real fighter, he's my miracle baby 🙂 there are a few drugs I can't have due to being pregnant but I wouldn't swap him for the world. Louise your t-shirt is ace! I might look into getting a similar maternity one. My 3 year old daughter keeps asking if my hair will fall out today, I'm getting it shaved off on Thursday so we've been trying on headscarves. She says I look like a boy haha! Thank goodness for the bump so people know I'm a woman! Xx

[loulou40]

Hi Sue, I had a girlie weekend in Blackpool last weekend (pre chemo blowout!) and my Mum in Law surprised me with it on the Sunday morning, with the rest of the girls wearing pink t's and BCC badges, I was gobsmacked to say the least! but wore it all around Blackpool for the day with so much amazing support from complete strangers. I think she got it printed at our local Asda t shirt printing shop, I loved it and will wear it for my last chemo session 🐵 x

[Tweasel]

Hi all. I'm from the January thread but noticed the questions about Herceptin, so hope you don't mind me popping in. I had FEC-T and was started on Herceptin with the T part after the 3 FEC treatments were finished. They don't give Herceptin with the FEC part because the E (Epirubicin) part of FEC can affect heart function, and so can Herceptin. My onc said it's ok to give Herceptin with T, but there seem to be lots of different opinions. Very best wishes to all of you xx

[Codiesue]

Hi Louise I am from the November starters so all finished with chemo but was  browsing....I just love that T shirt where did you find that ? Sue xx

[loulou40]

Hi Sheila, im also from S yorks, Doncaster and started my chemo on 8th. Where bouts u having ur chemo as I remember a Sheila at DRI on friday. (My first name is Sheila but known as Louise) x

[loulou40]

Hi all, im a newby to this forum. have been reading loads of your comments since my diagnosis and have just plucked up the courage to join in! I had my first FEC on Friday and so far so good! My 3 kids are keeping me going and my hubby has been amazing! Feeling a bit washed out this morning but keeping going (in my onesie)  Just reading comments on Herceptin. I dont start mine til after my 6 cycles, not sure if this is because my lymphs were clear oand had a clean sweep lumpectomy or maybe has nothing to do with it? They said pre op that I would have both together then changed their minds post op. x Lou

[sod6162]

Lucy...soft earplugs from Superdrug. Lifesavers for blocking out noise (especially from your loved ones while you're trying to sleep). Loved the thought of you watching the sunrise...x sheila

[sod6162]

Hi Jules, that's interesting, as I thought the herceptin could only be prescribed alongside chemo....you're right, they all seem to have their own methods. And I had the heart check 10 days ago, it was "normal". The radiographic said it will be my baseline for further checks during herceptin treatment. I can understand that if you had previous heart issue they would be less likely to zap you with everything at once. Your date will be here quickly now.. it's such a relief to get started.

.I'm feeling ok, but queasy during night, and already constipated. Can't remember if nurse said it was ok to take Senoket or similar? Anyone remember?

Enjoy this sunshine ladies, and rest!
Sheila x

[borbie]

Morning girls, awake at 5.30 as hubby snoring like an engine bless him (although sometimes feel like a peell placed pillow might help!) went and sat up in the field at the back of our house watching the sun coming up, so peaceful and more relaxing then listening to puffing Billy!
Going to have a potter in the garden whilst I have some energy, still sore from the hysterectomy but boob side better apart from a bit of cording.
Thanks for all the helpful tips and reassurance.
Lucy 🙂

[Darnmetoo]

Hi Lucy, welcome to May hmmm, what should we be, berries, flowers or something more befitting our amazing toughness?? Though I suppose flowers have it tough!!! I think we are given the drugs they reckon we need and if we need more, we call. That's just my take though.

Wow, Cass, you're going to be raising a real battler there! Somersaults to show you eh? That's definite fighting spirit - get's it from you, no doubt!

Day +3, only slight nausea sensation and hasn't (ALERT!!) produced since chemo night. Mind you, neither has the other end, so need to do something about that!

Jackie, Sheila, hope things are settling down for you too; I'm in the New Forest Sheila, but know Ponds Forge well!!

Have a lovely Sunday all.

Shirley

x

[jules_66]

Hi all. Thanks to all of you that have started your chemo journey. For those of us still waiting for our "first trip" your comments are both helpful and reassuring. For me the 21st still feels an age away. Having heart scan Tuesday, fingers crossed all will be well after the heart blip last year!!
Sheila I've been told my Herceptin won't start until I'm done with chemo. Surgeon said it would but Onc said no not until after as it can interact with chemo - why can't they all say and do the same thing? Got pre chemo appt with nurse and another appt with Onc on 19th so am going with a very long list of questions!!
Take care all. Jules xx

[cass79]

Hi girls! Thanks for the well wishes. All was ok, I'm home now and have had an hour's sleep already! I feel tired and sort of dopey and in a fog. I had a few minutes of thinking I was going to be sick earlier but I wasn't and I'm ok. I can smell something odd though! Hope everyone else is doing ok? My baby is doing somersaults in my tummy so I know he's alright 🙂 xx

[borbie]

Do they always start with not so strong anti sickness drugs first, that's what I'm dreading most! Hope you are feeling better all the time Jackie 🙂 Lucy

[borbie]

This site is so good for tips, the hospt staff are great but do much better to talk to people actually going through the same. Lucy x

[jackiek55]

Hi Barbie, I was the same as you, delayed because of an infection. Should have started chemo 22 April, but had first one on Wednesday. Just beginning to feel more like my self today. Feel free to ask any questions, I'm sure one of us will be able to help. Jackie xx

[jackiek55]

Hi, got my stronger anti sickness tabs yesterday and managed to eat some soup and bread before an early night. Slept on and off for 12 hours and got up feeling much better today. I never have a uninterrupted night so good for me. Hope you're feeling better too Shirley. Good luck today Ruth and Cass, soon be one down. Enjoy your walk in Rother Valley Sheila at least the sun is shining this morning. Jackie xx

[borbie]

Hi Girls,

Can i join you - I'm starting chemo on 28th May, (FEC-T) delayed a bit as have wound infection, had axillary clearance after spread to sentinel node 3 weeks ago and hysterectomy 5 days later as some dodgy looking cysts which turned out to be ok. Had oncology appt thurs, all a bit scarey but now antibiotics kicking in I'm beginning to feel human again apart from the raging **bleep**s, all ready for whats next!

[sod6162]

Hi Shirley and Jackie, hope you both got some better quality sleep? I definitely had 8hrs, with one toilet visit (longest wee of my life??) And currently waiting for first anti nausea pill of the day to kick in before breakfast. Jackie, weather was awful yesterday up here, hope I can get out in Rother with dog later. Shirley, where are you located? Sheila x

[sod6162]

Hello Ruth, good luck today, and stay positive...thank goodness for this "club". Keeps me sane, and I really feel supported. Hope it does help you too, let us know how you feel when you can x Sheila

[sod6162]

Hi Cass, good luck today. It's a long day, but I was impressed with the care and attention I got. Good cuppas too.. stay warm, and learn to push the meds around like a wobbly wheeled shopping trolley 🙂 Hope you're ok to take the anti nausea pills, they work for me so far! Sheila x

[Darnmetoo]

Well done Sheila and Kate - one down!! 

I usually resist taking one paracetamol but I think I shall take all my anti-nausea drugs (some say "if necessary") to keep it away -clearly some common sense is kicking in!!

Day +2 dawns bright and sunny - have friends coming over which will hopefully stop me slobbing around in pjs and get out for a walk.

Good Luck for today Cass and Ruthie, and Daisy on Monday, the waiting is the worst part.

x

[sod6162]

Jules, I absolutely know how long this wait is...I'm telling myself that the lack of urgency was a good sign. Here's a tip, keep your delivery point warm with heat pad, or else your canella will start to hurt with the chemo going in cold. And you will get herceptin day before (like me?) To check for reactions b4 the chemo drug. It took 6 hrs (after 1.5 hrs for first treatment drug) so be prepared! Sheila x

[daisyj1]

Welcome Kate

Good to hear that you are feling better today. There is hope for the rest of us who are anxiously waiting to start.

[sod6162]

Hi guys, after 11hrs in day unit yesterday, today was shorter, but harder, mainly due to cold cap.   Like previous, sleep was missing a bit, and cold sweats for a bit but I've not had nausea yet, started the pills yesterday, well before the chemo.  

One thing happened today that upset me; hearing that the wait from diagnosis to treatment is usually 3 weeks....I had to wait 2 months. Nurse apologised, but could not provide reason.  Always late to the party!!!

Hope we all get some sleep tonight, and have a decent weekend (raining cats and dogs here in south Yorkshire)

Sheila xx

[Kate2]

Hi I have also been recently diagnosed with BC and it has been a roller-coaster few weeks but started my first FEC-T treatment yesterday....5 to go! Felt quite nauseous yesterday but better today so hopefully the worst is over for this cycle. The antisickness tablets seem to have worked.  Its good to know I am not alone with this new journey over the next few months.

[jackiek55]

Glad you've got the first one over Shirley. I feel the same as you today. No sleep and pretty nauseous, just waiting for some stronger anti sickness meds. Was fine yesterday, except for the lack of sleep think that hasn't helped. Anyway here's to a better night and day tomorrow xxx

[daisyj1]

well done Shirley.Hope you make  quick recovery.xxx

[Darnmetoo]

Well, the hospital visit was fine, but a rubbish night and let's just say take the anti-nausea meds they give you! Have just managed a cuppa and marmalade on toast and hope to recover relative normality soon.

One down though!!!!!

xx

[jackiek55]

All the best to you Shirley. Not a nice experience, but at least you can start ticking off the weeks now and it will be over before we know it. Enjoy your picnic! Have you got boiled sweets to suck? I find they help as some of the drugs give you a funny taste. Xx

[jackiek55]

Good luck today Sheila, hope all goes to plan. I didn't sleep much last night but not feeling too bad this morning. Had my anti sickness just over an hour ago and now having a cup of tea and ginger biscuits. Hope they help to keep the nausea at bay. Only today for steroids so hopefully better sleep tomorrow. Take care xx

[Darnmetoo]

My turn as well today. Glad to be getting started.

Friend and I are taking a picnic! Well, that's how I view it. Shame there's no sparkling wine!!

Will report later...

Shirley

x

[daisyj1]

Well done for getting your first day over with Jackie.  Good luck tomorrow Sheila. 

Had my pre chemo appt today so just want to get on with it.I guess Monday will come soon enough. 

[sod6162]

I'm really nervous now, but glad it's finally starting.  Catch you all at the other end tomorrow....

[cass79]

Glad you're ok Jackie, I hope you continue to be as ok as possible. Xx

[jackiek55]

Actually I had weetabix and blueberries and intended getting a bacon and mushroom sarnie at the hospital, but didn't feel like it, think I was a bit stressed lol. What a long day! In for bloods at 9:15, clinic at 11:30 and then treatment at 1:30. Should have been finished by 3:00 but several things happened that delayed us. My first drip should have taken an hour but the nurse didn't realise that it was a double size bag and therefore needed to be put in faster, so when the hour was up the bag was still quite full. This was resolved, and I didn't get any reactions to it thank goodness. Then there was a problem with how my Hickman line should be dealt with between treatments and after numerous phone calls I'm still not sure what is happening but hopefully will know tomorrow. Home now feeling ok and hoping it will last. Got my bag of mashings to keep me well including 5 days GCSF injections to start on Sunday. I hope the rest of you are doing well and I'm sure you'll all be happier once you've got your first chemo under your belts. Xxx